Monroe, a three-year starter at linebacker for the Cougars, has transferred to Akron for his final season of college football and will be eligible immediately via the NCAA’s graduate transfer rule.
Monroe told the Orlando Sentinel that he also considered a transfer to Cincinnati, but ultimately decided to suit up for the Zips under head coach Terry Bowden.
“The coaching staff really reminds of me of the coaching staff I committed to at Washington State,” said Monroe in reference to former WSU coach Paul Wulff, who was fired in November 2011. “They’re genuine, they care about you as a person and a player and they want to win.”
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Monroe, an Orlando native, was third on the Cougars with 70 tackles in 2014 despite losing his starting job in October after starting the team’s first seven games.
Monroe redshirted his first season at Washington State and then earned the starting role at middle linebacker and was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 with 80 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks as a redshirt freshman in 2012.
Monroe had another strong season in 2013 with 94 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks.
He admitted that his 2014 season was a bit of a down year and attributed it to a high ankle sprain and a few family issues.
"A lot of things happened and it was hard to focus on the game within itself," Monroe said. "I wasn't, for one, healthy at all after the second game, and then I had a lot of family stuff going on back on the east coast.”
Though he didn’t get to play for Wulff’s staff, Monroe says he enjoyed his time under coach Mike Leach at WSU.
"My time at Washington State was great," Monroe said. "It kind of broke my heart that I didn't get to play under Paul Wulff and (defensive coordinator) Chris Ball and those guys, but besides that I felt like I took advantage of my opportunity and just went out and enjoyed playing the game my first two seasons ... just having fun and good things happened. I kind of look for the same things this year."
Washington State went 3-9 in 2014. Akron lost five of its last six games and finished 5-7.
For more Washington State news, visit WazzouWatch.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Former Washington State LB Darryl Monroe transfers to Akron
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